GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Educators are reminding Kent County parents to apply for preschool scholarships to give their children early learning experiences necessary for them to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

Early Childhood Scholarships are available to eligible children in Kent County through the Great Start Kent County Early Childhood Scholarship Fund. The one-year scholarship is available to children who will be 3 years old on or before Nov. 1, are from low-income families, and who demonstrate the highest need.

"This program can assist children in developing the skills that are an absolute prerequisite for school," said Judy Freeman, director of Great Start Collaborative of Kent Count and education coordinator for First Steps. "This sets them up for success in school, not just academic but social development as well."

Children who complete the scholarship program are expected to attend a tuition-free preschool the next year, either a Great Start Readiness Preschool program or Head Start. Organizers say this guarantees a child two years of quality early education before kindergarten.

She said research shows the same students behind in kindergarten are the ones behind in third grade and sixth grade and at-risk to drop out in high school.

"We want children to enter kindergarten feeling happy, motivated and confident about their success," said Freeman, who said the program has averaged 115 children the past two years. "They need to be able to relate to the children around them and understand what school is."

Last summer, program organizers released data from the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, that showed participants had made significant gains in language. Their performance exceeded the standard score gain set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Currently, there are 18 licensed facilities working with the program. Family applications are due by Monday, July 15. Announcements on the scholarship awards will be made by Aug. 1. Applications are available on the First Steps website.

Freeman encourages families to apply whenever they learn of the opportunity because the July 15 deadline only begins first round of decision-making and openings may exist.

To receive a scholarship, Kent County families must meet income guidelines at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Below is the most recent data for family sizes at that poverty level: